Tape-measure.



No; 62854751. Patented July ll, I899. B. H. KIRK.

TAPE MEASURE.

(Application 61911 Mar. 5, 1898.)

(No Modei.)

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NITED STATES PATENT Fries;

.ZENJAllIIN II. KIRK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TAPE-ME'ASURE.

SPECIFICATION forming: part of Letters Patent No. 628,475, dated July 11,

Application filed March 5, 1398. Serial No. 672,795. No model.)

which is difficult of access and where the end not, however, interfere with the use of the measure for making the ordinary measure ments for which the tape is used, and although it is permanently attached to the tape, so that it is not likely to be lost or mislaid, it can be readily slipped into position for securing difficult measurements or slipped out of the way when the measure is being put to its ordinary uses.

In the drawings which accom panyand form a part of this specification I have shown a tape-measure of the ordinary type provided with my attachment.

Figure 1 is a view of a tape-measure with the attachment at the extreme end thereof in the proper position for using the measure in making the measurements mentioned above, while Fig. .Zshows theattachment when the tape-measure is to be used for making ordinary measurements. Figs. 3 and 4 show a slightly-difierent form of stop from that illustrated in the other views.

In the drawings, A denotes a tape-measure of the kind commonly used, made of cloth or other suitable flexible material, and having the linear divisions and numerals stamped or marked thereon. Sliding freely on said tapemeasure A is the attachment, which consists of the plate B, formed of thin sheet metal or of such other non-fiexible or comparatively stiff material as will give the necessary rigidity to the attachment, so as to enable it to be inserted in the crotch or under the armpit to hold the end of the tape at the desired point.

The plate B is provided with two loops 7) near either end, said loops being preferably struck up from the metal or material of which the plate is formed. The tape-measure A passes through said loops 1?, rendering freely through them, so that the plate B can be slid to any position on the measure A. At the ends of the tape-measure A, I place stops a, which are riveted or otherwise secured to the said tape-measure and project from the surface thereof sufliciently to prevent the tape-measure A from passing completely through the loops b, said stops or buttons being so placed that when the plate B is slid to the extreme end of .the tape-measure A the end of the latter will register with the outer end of the said plate B, so that the measurements taken when the attachment is used will be accurate. The stop shown in Figs. 3 and 4 consists of a piece of sheet metal a, (preferably brass,) folded over the end of the tape-measure and secured thereto by being punched to form a struckup projection a which cannot pass through the loop I).

When the measure is to be used for making a difficult measurement, as the inside trousers-seam, the workman slides the plate 13 to the end of the tape-measure A until the stop a or a strikes the outer loop b, and the user then grasps the plate B and inserts it snugly in the crotch or armpit of the person being measured. The tape-measure is then laid along the scam in the usual manner and the measurement taken.

When it is desired to use the measure in making ordinary measurements-as, for example, in measuring 01f cloth laid upoh the table for cutting- -the plate Bis slid along the tape A out of the way, as shown in Fig. 2, and the measure is used as though it were not provided with the attachment. The plate B being light and perfectly flat does not interfere in the slightest degree with the use of the measure in its ordinary way, and yet said plate is so attached to the tape that it cannot become lost or mislaid, but is always ready for use when difficult measurements are to be taken.

I claim- 1. A flexible tape-measure A; combined with a comparatively rigid or non-flexible plate or attachment B having a sliding connection with the said tape-measure A and the latter being provided with means to prevent the said non-flexible attachment or plate from being disconnected from the said tape-measure While permitting said attachment to be freely slid along the said tape-measure, and a stop being so located as to cause the end of the tape-measure to be brought into register 

